4. The Twilight Zone (1989 1989) - Gramma
The 80's Twilight Zone might have been a mere shadow of its 60's predecessor, but like the original Rod Serling classic, it attracted some of the best horror and sci fi writers of its time, including Stephen King. Based on a short story from "Skeleton Crew," and adapted for television by Harlan Ellison, Gramma is a tale guaranteed to send a chill down your spine. 11 year old George is left alone one night with his ancient, bedridden grandmother. "Big enough to stay home by himself" George has always been scared of his grandmother and the half overheard, whispered adult conversation about her possibly being a witch aren't helping to endear her to him either. When his older brother breaks his arm and his parents have to take him to the hospital, he swallows his fears and bravely volunteers to stay home with Gramma. In the daylight hours George manages very well, but as darkness falls and his family's return is delayed the tension mounts. Suddenly a storm breaks out, his telephone and power goes out, Gramma wants her tea and there are strange growling sounds and an eerie red glow coming from her room......The tension builds as George's fear of his grandmother grows into a fear of her dying in the house with him, to the fear that he may be facing a horror far worse than he imagined. Gramma taps into the childhood fear we've all experienced, being alone in the dark with something monstrous lurking in the next room.